Thursday, February 15

So Easy, a Meteorologist Can Do It

Be a meteorologist in Southern California. It’s the ultimate job. Much like Newman’s coveted postal route in Hawaii, “where the air is so dewy-sweet, you don’t even have to lick the stamps,” (Seinfeld episode #144) the weather here is so constant, you don’t even have to think about it.

The meteorologists in Southern California are beautiful, blonde, and buxom. Some have been known to clutch a white poodle while giving the ten-day forecast. I’m serious, folks.
Contrast this with your typical New England meteorologist: A pasty, overweight guy with bags under his eyes from having stayed up all night tracking the constantly changing weather.

She uses the word "like" nineteen times in her report. He slurs his words from the last glass of Johnny Walker he downed in the green room to calm his nerves. She wears nine inch heels. He predicts nine inches of snow (which turns out to be only freezing rain). She discusses Justin Timberlake. He explains the mathematical algorithm that allows sound waves from the Doppler 5,000 to distinguish rain from snow.

Amazingly, one would think that with virtually the same forecast everyday, she couldn’t possibly get it wrong. Well, she does. All last week she predicted rain on Saturday, sun on Sunday. So being a conscientious food blogger, I planned to take my photographs on Sunday.

Saturday was bright and sunny. Sunday it rained. The pictures you see are from Monday.

A rainy Sunday seemed a perfect time to bake some cookies. One of my favorites is the Italian pignoli (pine nut) cookie. Made with almond paste, they are mildly sweet and have a nutty flavor that lingers pleasantly on your palate. The crispy exterior reveals a chewy interior that gently pulls away as you bite it. I could explain the chemical properties of the cookie that create this sensation, but maybe you could just picture me with a dog on my lap instead. They are ridiculously easy to make; it took me longer to type the recipe (and photograph the cookies) than it did to bake them. Like typical New Englanders, Jeff and I had them with a nice cup of coffee.

Pour the remaining pinenuts into a small bowl. Using a teaspoon and slightly moistened hands, take about 1 tsp worth of batter and roll it into a ball. Gently drop the ball in the pine nuts and turn until completely coated. Place the cookies 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake for 20 minutes, until lightly browned.

Cool on racks. Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired. Cookies should be stored in an airtight container. Makes approximately 30 cookies.

After having tasted a Mexican coffee made with black pepper, Jeff concocted this version one afternoon. The interplay between the spices and the pepper creates an intensely flavorful and aromatic cup of coffee.

I laughed at your evaluation of meteorologists... it's such a contrast from over here in the east (as you once were) where things the weather changes so quickly, it's almost pointless to try and pinpoint it down.

I think I just might break down and bake these. I adore pine nuts (used to pick them when I lived in New Mexico), and these look too good for words!

And just about the BEST description of the difference between the east and west coasts meteorologists I've ever read! I've never seen "her" clutching a white poodle, but I can sure picture it! This post is a keeper!

What a great post Susan! Been living in two totally different world, it makes you more special =). I really love these pine nut cookies (actually I love any type of Italian cookies!!!). What a nice coincidence, today I also just photographed a shot of sprinkling powder sugar (on Italian cookies) Yours are very beautiful!!!

When we lived in North Dakota it cracked us up how the weather report made up half of the evening news. It was big stuff there and they took their weather man, Tom Szymanski, very seriously. He was goofy but somehow rather hypnotic. And I didn't even care about the weather.

Susan these cookies look great and I really love how you had them with spiced coffee - yum! I laughed out loud at the meteorologist description - how true!! One of our favorite mottos here in NE Ohio is "I'll believe it when I see it" which is said every night after watching the weather forecast. lol

Sue; thecookies look absolutely delicious. The pitures are great - kudos to the photographer. Will have to try the spiced coffee soon yet better still we will be over Sun for coffee and cookies. Love Dad

We had an old school friend of mine staying with this weekend and on Saturday afternoon, tired from a morning of window shopping and despite that fact that it was unbelievably hot, Kylie and I drank your spiced coffee. Wonderful! I'm making the cookies next. I found some French pine nut oil a few weeks ago and made a beautiful salad dressing with it. I would love to get my hands on some proper Italian pignoli...Lovely stuff!

Hi Susan! Your write up was amusing!:) Loved the nice recipe for cookies. Spiced coffee is a relevation! I make spiced tea, but coffee was always with sugar and milk only. i must try the clove, pepper, cinnamon touch...

The cookie photo inspires me to head for Federal Hill on our next RI visit; easy for you with all the ingredients in the pantry, no doubt. The coffee is a revelation. And to add to the SA horizon, a local chocolatier makes chocolates with cayenne and cinnamon. Thanks for the inspiration!

True enough about California meteorologists... although I've never seen any of the Bay Area ones with a poodle! Can you imagine John Gheyorse (sp?) doing that? (I grew up in southeastern MA, and John's still one of my favorite meteorologists)

I love the "raining" sugar in your photo.I used to travel to San Diego quite often and would get such a kick out of the weather reports. It rained one day and you would have thought the world was coming to an end. They were breaking into programs and everything to report on this little sprinkle shower.

This looks so delicious! :)All the ingredients in it look great-- and good idea to make this with pine nuts! You don't by any chance know a good place to find almond paste or pine nuts, do you? I've been looking around online for these so I can make Italian Pignoli also. :)

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I will *definitely* be trying this. @Tina- I normally get my Pine Nuts from NutsOnline-- I've looked a fair bit and they seem to consistently have the best prices. Lovely blog and post-- all looks really tasty! ~Sally